Composition:
The frame works on three levels — inside the shop, the glass surface, and the street reflected in it. I wanted them to interact without collapsing into chaos, so I waited for a moment when the interior figure was still and the reflections aligned with the lettering. Her placement — just off-centre, between verticals — gives the picture its balance. The type across the glass acts like a kind of visual punctuation, separating one layer from another.
Story:
What I love here is weat it shows of modern life; the mix of connection and disconnection. The woman is present but inward-looking, lost in her phone, while the reflections show a world in motion just beyond her. It’s a small slice of everyday life, but it hints at something bigger — how we exist in public spaces, half-aware of what’s around us.
Timing & Light:
The light was warm but soft, filtered by the surrounding buildings. The gold lettering picked up just enough glow to stand out without overpowering the scene. The cooler tones inside the shop balanced the warmth outside, giving a subtle contrast. I exposed for the reflections so that everything stayed visible without flattening the glass effect.
Overall Impression:
This one feels quieter, more contemplative than the others. It’s about perception — how we look, what we see, and what we miss. The layers make it a bit of a puzzle, but the mood keeps it grounded. It’s the kind of scene that could easily be overlooked, which is exactly why I wanted to photograph it.
Looking Back
Putting these images together, I realised they trace a kind of rhythm through the day — from open air and bright colour on the pier, to the energy of the sea, to the reflective calm of the Lanes. Each moment came and went in seconds, but together they tell a small story about Brighton and the way light, people, and structure interact.
That’s what I love about street photography: it teaches you to look for balance in the everyday, to find a bit of poetry in the ordinary flow of things.
If you’d like to see how the day unfolded you can watch the video from the day here:
👉 How I See It:Brighton Street Photography in the Summer Sun – YouTube
And if you’ve made it this far, I’d love to know what you think. Which image speaks to you most, and why? Feel free to leave a comment below, or explore more of my colour street photography in the gallery section of my website.
Hugh